Core i7-7740X vs Xeon E3-1285 v6

PassMark CPU Mark evaluates processor speed through complex mathematical computations. It provides a reliable metric to compare multi-core performance, where higher scores indicate faster processing for multitasking, gaming, and heavy workloads.

Core i7-7740X vs Xeon E3-1285 v6 FPS Benchmarks

Predicted gaming performance across popular games. Tested paired with GeForce RTX 5090 to isolate CPU performance.

Search any supported game below to compare 1080p FPS for both components.

Core i7-7740X vs Xeon E3-1285 v6: Pros, Cons & Final Verdict

See where each CPU makes more sense in practice: gaming, heavier work, platform cost, power draw, and upgrade path.

Core i7-7740X

2017

Why buy it

✅+1.9% higher PassMark.
✅Costs $111 less on MSRP ($339 MSRP vs $450 MSRP).
✅Delivers 35.2% more PassMark for each dollar spent, at 28.5 vs 21.1 PassMark/$ ($339 MSRP vs $450 MSRP).
✅100+% more PCIe lanes (16 vs 0) for storage and expansion-heavy builds.

Trade-offs

❌Worse for gaming: lower average FPS than Xeon E3-1285 v6 across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
❌41.8% higher power demand at 112W vs 79W.

Xeon E3-1285 v6

2017

Why buy it

✅Better for gaming: +5.6% higher average FPS across 50 shared CPU benchmark tests.
✅Draws 79W instead of 112W, a 33W reduction.

Trade-offs

❌Lower PassMark (9,502 vs 9,678).
❌Lower PassMark per dollar, at 21.1 vs 28.5 PassMark/$ ($450 MSRP vs $339 MSRP).

Quick Answers

So, is Core i7-7740X better than Xeon E3-1285 v6?

Not really, because they are built for different jobs. Xeon E3-1285 v6 makes more sense for workstation-style multi-core throughput, while Core i7-7740X is the more practical desktop choice for gaming, platform cost, and everyday use.

Which one is better for streaming, content creation, and heavy multitasking?

For streaming, content creation, and heavier multitasking, Core i7-7740X is the stronger fit. You are getting 1.9% better PassMark, backed by 4 cores and 8 threads.

Which one is the smarter buy today, not just the cheaper CPU?

Core i7-7740X is the better buy right now. Core i7-7740X comes in $111 cheaper on MSRP at $339 MSRP versus $450 MSRP, and it still gives you 1.9% better PassMark. The compromise is that Xeon E3-1285 v6 is still the better pure gaming CPU with a 5.6% average FPS lead across 50 shared CPU game tests in our data. It is also 35.2% better value on MSRP (28.5 vs 21.1 PassMark/$), so you are getting the faster CPU without taking a value hit on paper.

Which one is more future-proof for 2026 and beyond?

Core i7-7740X makes more sense long term for 2026 and beyond. You are getting more multi-core headroom with 4 cores / 8 threads instead of 4/8. That extra compute headroom is more likely to matter as games, background tasks, and creator workloads get heavier.

Core i7-7740X vs Xeon E3-1285 v6 Technical Specifications

Side-by-side specs, architecture details, clocks, memory, power, and platform differences.

Core i7-7740X

The Core i7-7740X is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 26 June 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-X (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4.3 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA2066. Thermal design power (TDP): 112 Watt. Memory support: DDR4. Passmark benchmark score: 9,678 points. Launch price was $339.

Xeon E3-1285 v6

The Xeon E3-1285 v6 is manufactured by Intel. It was released in 1 August 2017 (8 years ago). It is based on the Kaby Lake-DT (2017) architecture. It features 4 cores and 8 threads. Base frequency is 4.1 GHz, with boost up to 4.5 GHz. L3 cache: 8 MB (total). L2 cache: 256K (per core). Built on 14 nm process technology. Socket: LGA1151. Thermal design power (TDP): 79 Watt. Memory support: DDR4-2400, DDR3L-1866. Passmark benchmark score: 9,502 points. Launch price was $450.

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Processing Power

Both the Core i7-7740X and Xeon E3-1285 v6 share an identical 4-core/8-thread configuration. Boost clocks reach 4.5 GHz on the Core i7-7740X versus 4.5 GHz on the Xeon E3-1285 v6 — identical boost frequencies (base: 4.3 GHz vs 4.1 GHz). The Core i7-7740X uses the Kaby Lake-X (2017) architecture (14 nm), while the Xeon E3-1285 v6 uses Kaby Lake-DT (2017) (14 nm). In PassMark, the Core i7-7740X scores 9,678 against the Xeon E3-1285 v6's 9,502 — a 1.8% lead for the Core i7-7740X. Both processors carry 8 MB (total) of L3 cache.

Feature	Core i7-7740X	Xeon E3-1285 v6
Cores / Threads	4 / 8	4 / 8
Boost Clock	4.5 GHz	4.5 GHz
Base Clock	4.3 GHz+5%	4.1 GHz
L3 Cache	8 MB (total)	8 MB (total)
L2 Cache	256K (per core)	256K (per core)
Process	14 nm	14 nm
Architecture	Kaby Lake-X (2017)	Kaby Lake-DT (2017)
PassMark	9,678+2%	9,502

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Memory & Platform

The Core i7-7740X uses the LGA2066 socket (PCIe 3.0), while the Xeon E3-1285 v6 uses LGA1151 (PCIe 5.0) — making them incompatible on the same motherboard.

Feature	Core i7-7740X	Xeon E3-1285 v6
Socket	LGA2066	LGA1151
PCIe Generation	PCIe 3.0	PCIe 5.0+67%
Max RAM Speed	DDR4-2666	—
Max RAM Capacity	64 GB	—
RAM Channels	2	—
ECC Support	No	—
PCIe Lanes	16	—

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Advanced Features

Virtualization: VT-x, VT-d (Core i7-7740X) / not specified (Xeon E3-1285 v6). Primary use case: Core i7-7740X targets Desktop.

Feature	Core i7-7740X	Xeon E3-1285 v6
Integrated GPU	No	—
Unlocked	Yes	—
AVX-512	No	—
Virtualization	VT-x, VT-d	—
Target Use	Desktop	—

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Value Analysis

At launch, the Core i7-7740X was priced at $339, while the Xeon E3-1285 v6 came in at $450. On launch pricing ($339 vs $450), Core i7-7740X was $111 cheaper. In terms of value on MSRP (PassMark points per dollar), the Core i7-7740X delivers 28.5 pts/$ vs 21.1 pts/$ for the Xeon E3-1285 v6 — making the Core i7-7740X the 29.9% better value option.

Feature	Core i7-7740X	Xeon E3-1285 v6
MSRP	$339-25%	$450
Performance per Dollar	28.5+35%	21.1
Release Date	2017	2017

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